Annette Risberg Kleinman, 94, passed away peacefully on September 26, 2022 in her Highland Park home of 62 years, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on August 7, 1928 to Edward and Sonia Risberg, Annette, her brother Al, and sister Betty were raised in the city of Chicago. Annette’s parents and brother Al had fled Ukraine and arrived in Chicago in the early 1920s.
Sonia was a gifted seamstress, at whose hand Annette studied, growing to become an expert sewer herself. Annette was a gifted student; she received a full scholarship in 1946 to attend the University of Chicago to study genetics. Annette’s sharp intellect and deep curiosity continued to define her life as an adult: as an unbeatable Scrabble player, a pen-toting New York Times crossword enthusiast, and a devoted listener of WFMT, Bernstein, Sondheim, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She was indefatigable about maintaining her awareness of and involvement in current events, championing causes about which she felt passionate from a young age.
She and her beloved husband, Bernard, were married for 59 years and, though they met as “two kids from the neighborhood”, found themselves running a successful legal practice and traveling the world together. A generous philanthropist, Annette devoted her time and resources to ensuring that future generations would enjoy access to what she valued most: education, the arts, and the environment. Even accounting for her many adventures, Annette’s legacy is best understood through her devotion to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her children: Deborah (Richard), Larry (Leslie), Miriam (Ben), and Bev (Ken), her grandchildren: Gene, Sonia, John, Julia, Maggie, David, Adam, Stephen, Scott, Leah, Isaac, Kevin, and Kayla, and great-grandchildren: Theo, Dov, Miles, and Ida. She is predeceased by her brother Al, sister Betty, husband Bernard, son Richard (Beverly), and granddaughter Rachel. The family would like to acknowledge the dedicated love and care she received by her caregivers of many years.
Funeral services will be private. Family and friends are welcome to gather on September 30, 2022 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at one of Annette’s favorite places: the Kleinman Family Cove at the Chicago Botanic Garden. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations be made in her honor to the Annette Risberg Kleinman Memorial Scholarship at the Children First Fund at https://cps.networkforgood.com/projects/170876-annette-risberg-kleinman-memorial-scholarship or to the Chicago Botanic Garden at http://chicagobotanic.org/tribute. The Kleinman family is planning a larger celebration of Annette’s life at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.weinsteinfuneralhomes.com for the Kleinman family.
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